Holy Week Takes Us to The Heart of Christian Liturgies
Dear Parishioners,
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of his passion and fulfillment of his mission and his decisive act of embracing a sorrowful path that will lead to the redemption of the world. We reenact this event with the blessing of palms and procession around the church premises and recall his passion by reading the account of Jesus’ final two days. Sadly, this solemn procession of acclamation will ultimately end with the crowd’s rejection of Jesus later in the week.
As we enter Holy Week, it calls for our active participation in the liturgical ceremonies. I hope you will take advantage and accompany Jesus as we recall, from Judas’ sordid bargain with high priests to his own burial in a tomb. It begins with Jesus making himself available for this mission. St Paul speaks of him as emptying himself and becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.
Are we open to being instructed? Are we ready for God’s word to speak to us? The servant of God risks exposure to ridicules and attacks. Has your faith led you to such an experience? The servant sticks to the task. He never leaves his post and accepts to lower himself so that God may be uplifted up. He does not detract or diminish the work. He refuses to let anything else, but God’s word makes an impact on him.
The Holy Week takes us right into the heart of Christian liturgies. The Mass of Chrism is concelebrated with the Archbishop, his clergy and people of God. It is a sign of unity for the local church, where priests renew their vows and sacred oils are consecrated for the sanctification of the God’s people. I encourage you to attend mass on Monday April 14th 11 am at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral.
Holy Thursday evening, during the Mass of the Last Supper, the parish receives the newly blessed oils: Oil of the sick, Oil of the Catechumens and Oil of the Chrism. The old oils are burned or may be put into the lamp which burns before the Blessed Sacrament. Lent officially ends with evening prayer on Holy Thursday, while the Easter Triduum begins the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. In keeping with the feast of Passover, Jesus gives us gift of Holy Eucharist and Priesthood to perpetuate the sacrifice on Cross. That is reason why Mass is the “un-bloody” sacrifice of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. In washing our feet, he teaches us to serve one another.
Good Friday, Jesus reaches pinnacle of his passion; he dies entrusting himself to the Father and atones for our sins. It is good because he chose to die for us, that we may have access to the God the Father. Without the shedding of his blood there would be no redemption. Therefore, we venerate the wood of Cross on which hung the Savior of the world. His Passion abolished the death inherited from ancient sin by every succeeding generation. Jesus gives us a new image; we become the adopted sons and daughters of God.
Holy Saturday takes us to that special night. A night the entire cosmos waited, hoping for victory over death. The Church takes this opportunity to lift up the Easter candle, showing that Christ indeed is the Light of world. The powers of hell, darkness and the underworld have no place in his presence. Christ conquers all. While on this solemn vigil the Church reads scriptures recalling our salvation history, God’s love, creation and redemption. Candidates and Catechumens receive new life in Christ and become believers and members of our faith community. We all renew our baptismal promises and joyfully celebrate the Easter glories. I hope you will be able to join us at the parish liturgies during this Holy Week.
Sincerely Yours In The Lord,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
